Building automation system

ABSTRACT

A building automation system that is comprised of a plurality of network connected electrical modules contained in standard receptacle gang boxes for outlets and switches is described. The system includes an AC to DC power supply, a bidirectional solid stale dimmer switch, a microprocessor, and, interconnected sensors that are powered and controlled by microprocessors within the electrical modules. The electrical modules include a user interface for programming and control. The system provides enhanced safety and security, power metering, power control, and home diagnostics. The apparatus replaces existing outlet receptacles and switches with a familiar flush but elegantly updated and seamlessly integrated faceplate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent application62/410,531, titled Building Automation System, filed 20 Oct. 2016, and,U.S. Provisional application 62/414,467, Titled: High Efficiency AC toDC Converter and Methods, Filed Oct. 28, 2016, and, U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application 62/431,926, Titled: Electronic Switch and Dimmer,Filed Dec. 9, 2016, all including common inventors and currentlypending.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The invention generally relates to the fields of power management andbuilding automation.

Background of the Invention

The National Electrical Code (NEC), first published in the year 1897 andupdated every three years, is the United States standard for safeinstallation of electrical wiring and equipment. NEC requirements havebeen added or updated over the years based upon safety considerations.In 1971, Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) were added. In 1999,Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) were added. In 2014,tamper-resistant (TR) electrical receptacles were added. In each case asrequirements are added or updated they must be met in new or renovateddwellings.

The most common receptacle in the home is rated for 15 amps. NEC codeallows a 15 amp receptacle on a 20 amp circuit as long as it's not theonly receptacle on the circuit. This can result in a safety risk whenthe unknowing homeowner uses a power strip connected to high currentdevices such as entertainment systems. The total load could exceed thereceptacle rating yet not trip the panel circuit breaker.

Factory and office automation is becoming ubiquitous. In factories useof multiple wired or wirelessly interconnected sensors to monitor andcontrol manufacturing processes is now necessary for a competitivemanufacturing site. Office automation where all computers and computingdevices, such as smart phones and tablets are now expected tointerconnect for collaboration amongst workers and to share resourcessuch as printers, copiers, etc.

In many cases of both home, and, factory or office automation newsensors and computer controlled devices requires extension orinstallation of new networks. In some cases, this means difficult andexpensive routing of network cables. Wireless networks can in some casesbe used instead but often the building structure blocks or interfereswith wireless communication throughout the building. Overcoming thisrequires a plurality of network repeater or signal boosters. Overcomingthese wireless drawbacks results in a functional and aestheticalmarginal system. In many cases the buildings, factories, offices orhomes are pre-existing structures where running wire and locatingwireless repeaters results in a compromised network. There is a need fora system that can easily be fit into the existing infrastructure offactories, offices and homes.

Devices and methods are needed to reduce the incidents of injury, deathand property destruction. A safe, scalable, secure and easy to usenetworked system of outlet receptacles, switch receptacles and sensorsis disclosed to achieve this goal. Various objects, features, aspects,and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent fromthe following detailed description of preferred embodiments of theinvention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numeralsrepresent like components.

Ideally building networking and control system could be fit into thecommon, currently existing and industry standard switch and outletboxes. Impediments to retrofitting buildings are that the current switchboxes and outlet boxes cannot accommodate the electronics required forthe networking. Typical networking and control systems requireconversion to 3-5 DC volts. The supplies coming to the outlets andswitches are 110 or 220 volts. The conversion from 100 or 220 volts ACto 3-5 volts DC generates considerable heat. This heat can constitute afire hazard as well as harm to operation of any other electronicsincorporated into the box. The NEC requires 2 cubic inches of free spacefor each 12-gauge conductor wire used within a conductor box. This meansthat any enclosed electronics should not generate heat on its own andfurther must not take up any space beyond the size of current switchesand outlets. There is a need for an AC to DC converter and Switches thatare small and efficient so as to not cause overheating within theenclosed switch and outlet boxes.

More and more appliances and devices now further includes sensors andnetworking capabilities. Communication protocols and Standards for theThe Next Generation Internet of Things (NGIoT) are being written suchthat all such devices can provide status and can be controlled usingcommon protocols. There is a need for a network system that can be usedfor both new construction and existing buildings to upgrade to thesecapabilities.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes electrical interfaces that are included, in apreferred embodiment, in standard electrical outlet and switch boxes topower lights and devices plugged into outlets and to form a core systemfor home automation and control. In one embodiment, user interfacedesigns, and, methods and protocols of use to fit or retrofit a buildingfor automation and control are included with the electronics in theelectrical boxes. One embodiment includes a faceplate design that issized and shaped to fit and replace standard electrical switch andswitch plates. The switch replacement faceplate and attached electronicsinclude a user interface and electronics. In one embodiment the userinterface is a touchscreen display that may be programmed to act as asensor output display, a switch, and a slider dimmer switch. In someembodiments the faceplate includes a microphone and speaker and may bevoice activated or activated by a motion detector. In another embodimentthe electronics are incorporated into the electrical supply circuitry ofthe building and the user interface is through a separate computingdevice such as a programmable wireless telephone, tablet, personalcomputer or a separate device devoted exclusively to the buildingautomation process.

In the preferred embodiment the electronics include:

-   -   an AC to DC converter,    -   a bidirectional switch with phase-control mode,    -   a load identifying sensor,    -   a ground and arc fault sensor,    -   a computing device including a user interface and Input-Output        interface        all incorporated in a standard size (such as described in        National Electronic Manufactures Association, NEMA documents        OS-2), single gang, electrical outlet or switch box. In the        preferred embodiment the AC to DC converter, the switch, the        fault detector and the computing device separate from the I/O        and display are incorporated on a single silicon chip.

In another embodiment additional sensors include voltage and currentsensors to monitor electrical power through each device circuit as wellas temperature, humidity, motion and sound sensors. One embodimentincludes an electronic communication module such that a plurality of theelectrical boxes may be wirelessly linked together thereby forming amesh network that enables data from one of the electrical boxes to beavailable to all locations on the mesh network.

In another embodiment, a computing device is programmed to displayanalog or digital data received from the sensors and can activate alarmsif the sensor readings are outside of pre-selected limits. The alarmsinclude a visual display on the user interface of the faceplate, anaudible sound from the audio output device, a communication signal sentthrough the electronic communication module and signal sent to a lightor audio alarm. In one embodiment the communication module can beprogrammed to accept commands and data from an external electronicdevice. The external device may be a programmable cellular telephone, apersonal computer or a tablet computer. Communication between outlet andswitch boxes may be through radio frequency communication such asBluetooth® (Bluetooth is a registered trademark of BLUETOOTH SIG, INC.)type devices and protocols, nearfield communication and wi-fi devices,Zigbee® (Zigbee is a registered trademark Zigbee Alliance), and, otherproprietary and non-proprietary protocols.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment front view of an outlet and switch faceplate user interface.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of a switch face plate and a programmable userinterface.

FIG. 3 shows a second view of a switch face plate and a programmableuser interface.

FIG. 4 show a view of a switch face plate and a programmable userinterface showing an alarm condition.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment front view of an outlet and switch faceplate and a user interface included on a separate device.

FIG. 6 shows cross-sectional views of the invented electronics in astandard electrical box.

FIG. 7 shows front and cross-sectional views of the invented electronicsin an electrical box with a removable user interface faceplate.

FIG. 8 shows a typical room with a plurality of installed inventedoutlet and switch boxes.

FIG. 9 shows a floor plan with a plurality of invented electrical boxinstallations.

FIG. 10 shows a diagram of a communication network formed amongst aplurality of installed outlet and switch boxes.

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of the invented electrical box.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show details of the preferred embodiment of the AC to DCconverter.

FIGS. 14-20 show details of the preferred embodiment of thebidirectional switch.

FIG. 21 shows details of the preferred embodiment of the loadidentifying sensor.

FIG. 22 shows a flow chart for operation of the load identifying sensor.

FIG. 23 shows a block diagram for an electrical fault detector.

FIG. 24 shows component details for the electrical fault detector.

FIG. 25 shows details of the processor for the electrical faultdetector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides according to one or more of the followingembodiments, systems, methods, computer program products, and relatedbusiness methods for easy to use residential and commercial powermetering, power control, sensors, enhanced safety and security. Theembodiments conform to the standards based Internet Engineering TaskForce (IETF) IPv6 low power wireless personal area network (6LowPAN)communication for residential and commercial applications. The detailsof the embodiments described herein use the residential home, primarilythe single family home, for context but the teachings are applicablewithout limitation to other buildings such as multi-family dwelling,commercial buildings used for office space, retail, industrialwarehousing, and, manufacturing. Commonly numbered items in all theFigures refer to the same item throughout the description.

FIG. 1 shows views of faceplates for an outlet 101 and a switch 102 ofthe present invention. A plurality of both devices are interconnectedthrough a wired or wireless network. In a preferred embodiment thedevices are networked using a wireless RF signal and form a mesh networkof the all such devices in a building. In one embodiment, all of thenetworked devices, Outlets 101 and switches 102, include a userinterface and display and the status of any of the sensors associatedwith one device (outlet or switch) of the network is available ordisplay on all of the devices of the network. The outlet includesreceptacles 103 for electric plugs as are standard in home, office andindustrial buildings. The form shown are for US standard outlets but anyof the many configurations for both 110 and 220 volts as are usedinternationally may be used. The outlets are controlled by electronicsinstalled in the outlet box behind the faceplate as shown in FIG. 1. Inone embodiment the faceplates includes a display 108 that shows thestatus of the circuitry associated with the outlet or switch. In anotherembodiment the status is shown using light indicator 105, 109, such asan LED indicator. The status indicators 105, 109 may show an overloadcondition, an on/off condition, status of the network connection or anindication of any of these associated with a different outlet or switchattached to the same network. In another embodiment the outlet includesno displays or indicators of status. However even in this embodiment thestatus of the outlet is detected by internal electronics and the statusmay be displayed on other outlet or switch devices in the same network.The control electronics are programmed with a stored, pre-selectedmaximum load allowed on the outlet. The outlet plugs 103 may each becontrolled separately. The outlet further includes an array of sensors104. Non-limiting exemplary sensors are motion sensors, temperaturesensors, humidity sensors, light sensors, Arc-Fault and Ground-faultsensors. The status of any or all of the sensors may be displayed on thedisplay 108 and may further be displayed on any switch 102 or outlet 101face plate in the networked system of outlets and switch plates. Inanother embodiment the device may interact with external sensors andactuators. Non-limiting examples of external sensors and actuatorsinclude smoke detectors, CO detectors, water leak detectors, hydrocarbonor other gas detectors, switches and sensors that can detect whether adoor or window is opened or closed. In a preferred embodiment eachswitch plate 102 includes: On/Off control 110 with dimming and timersupport, a motion sensor, a microphone(s) 107 and a speaker(s) 108, roomtemperature and humidity sensors, power use assessment and powermetering sensors. Each switch can be programmed with behavior thatdepends upon occupancy, temperature, humidity, time of day, and anyother measurement as detected by the array of sensors either integral tothe particular switch or located elsewhere on the network of switches,outlets, sensors and actuators. In the preferred mode each of theswitches has full control of all in-house connected devices. In apreferred embodiment the user may interact with the switch and outletsthrough a computer application such as the Apple HomeKit® (Apple andApple HomeKit are registered trademarks of Apple Inc.) Non-limitingactuators include water and gas shutoff valves, garage door openers,electronic locks on doors and windows. The status and control of thevarious sensors and actuators is available on the particular device,outlet or plug, interfaced to the sensor or actuator as well as allother devices connected to the same mesh network. The other devicesinclude other plugs and outlets as well as any computing deviceprogrammed to interact with the network. Such computing devices includeprogrammable telephones, tablets, portable computers and servers. TheOutlets and switches each common, similar electronics. In the exampleshown in FIG. 1, the user interface on the switch faceplate is a simpletoggle switch 110. The displays 108 may be programmed to show currentnominal operation of the associated circuitry such as current demand andpower consumption by a connected load and may show an overload conditionsuch as current greater than a pre-selected limit. Note the limit may beless than the rating of an inline fuse or circuit breaker such that theuser can have advanced warning before tripping a circuit breaker. Thedisplay parameters and the preselected limit can be set up in theconfiguration for each outlet using any of the user interfaces on theswitch module faceplates or on any computing device connected to thebuilding network that includes the outlet module. In one embodiment thepower for each of the outlets 103 are shown separately in the display108. The display can also be configured to show the current flowingthrough the plugs and the applied voltage. In another embodiment thedisplay 108 can be configured to show alert messages.

Both the outlet and the switch faceplate examples show positioning of amicrophone 107 and a speaker 106 included within the modules. The outletmodules can be configured to use the microphone and speaker in the sameways as the microphone and speaker in the switch faceplate. Non-limitingexamples include using the microphone to accept commands forconfiguration and activation of sensors and actuators on the network,answering phone calls and sounding alerts. In a preferred embodiment themodules further include a motion sensor to detect presence of a personor movement within the vicinity of the module. The individual modulesmay be configured to be always powered, powered at pre-selected times orpowered on the basis of whether the built in motion detector detectssomeone present in the vicinity of the module.

The faceplates 101, 102 of FIG. 1 show an embodiment where the userinterface and displays are fixed in location. Displays may be LCD or LEDalphanumeric or graphical displays as well as simple LEDs whose lightingindicates a particular pre-selected condition to alert a user. The userinterface may be a toggle switch 110 or mechanical slider (not shown).In another embodiment shown in FIG. 2A the faceplates for the switch arecomprised of a flat panel programmable display. The controls and outputdisplays may be located anywhere on the display and are user selectableas to appearance and function.

The views show the switch in an off 201 and an on 202 position. Thefaceplate includes a touch interactive screen 203. The form of thescreen is user selectable. The background color of the screen, isselectable by the user and may further be programmed to change as afunction of a wide variety of parameters. Nonlimiting examples of suchparameters include date and time, output of sensors either in theparticular switch module or to sensors anywhere on the network formed bythe switch and outlet modules, and an incoming or outgoing phone call,email or instant message received by a cellular telephone linked to thenetwork of the switch and outlet modules. The user interface faceplatecan further be programmed to show a variety of icons and information. Inthe example shown the switch faceplate is programmed to display a sliderswitch 204, 210 that changes color depending upon whether it is in theoff 204 or on 210 position. The examples shown further show a display ofthe status of doors 205, 209 where the icon changes colors or otherwisechanges appearance to show whether the door is opened, or closed, orlocked or unlocked. A status indicator 206 shows the status of thenetwork connection to the particular faceplate. A status indicator canalso show the status of the entire network rather than the status of theconnection to the particular switch module. The date and time 207 can beoptionally displayed as well as environmental conditions such astemperature and humidity 208. The temperature and humidity may beselected as the temperature and humidity in the environment of theparticular switch module or the temperature and humidity of a switch oroutlet module remote from the particular module of the display or thetemperature and humidity of sensors that are interconnected to thenetwork and may therefore be remote temperature and humidity modules. Inone embodiment the faceplate and associated electronics include amicrophone and speaker (not shown). The display may further includesicons 211, 212 for the microphone and speaker showing whether the themicrophone and speaker are activated. In the example of FIG. 2, thefirst view 201 shows a system where the microphone and speaker are notactive and the second view 202 shows a module where the microphone andspeaker are active by virtue of the appearance of an indicator 211 forthe microphone and a second indicator 212 for the speaker. In anotherembodiment the icons 211, 212 indicate whether a microphone and speakerexist in the particular module and change colors upon activation of themicrophone and/or speaker. In the embodiment of FIG. 2A the appearanceand location and means for activating of all 203-212 of the userinterfaces and displays are programmably selectable. The switch modules204, 210, for example, may be toggles, buttons, or sliders (as shown)and be activated by a swipe of the finger, a press of a finger, a tap orother actions in the region 204, 210 of the switch display. FIG. 3 showsa design for a switch faceplate module/user interface in a differentconfiguration from that shown in FIG. 2. The user interface of FIG. 2and the user interface shown in FIG. 3 may be selected by the user. Theview 301 shows a configuration in which the status and control of aplurality of lights located throughout the building that includes thenetwork. The status is shown in a plurality of regions 302, for aplurality of devices 303, and for a plurality of alarm statuses 304 ofthe touch screen faceplate for the switch module. Each of the regions303 further represents a touchscreen region whereby the user may toughthe screen in that region to change the status of the particularselected device on or off. The user interface represented by thetouchscreen faceplate on all of the switch modules may be programmed toshow a similar or modified user interface to control the lights or anyother interconnected actuator or appliance throughout the building. Theselection of the particular display is made through programming themicroprocessor included within the electronics of the switch or outletmodule. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 the selection of the displaymay be made through a touch of the configuration region (not shown). Inanother embodiment the configuration and display may be set through useof a voice command. In another embodiment the configuration may be setthrough use of a password. The password may be entered through the userinterface using a displayed keypad. In another embodiment the passwordis entered through a vocal command received by the microphone built intothe electronics of the switch or outlet module. The display shown inFIG. 3 may be toggled to the display shown in FIG. 2 through touchingthe selection region 308. In another embodiment a library of differentdisplays are pre-defined through the configuration process and the usermay select which of the selected displays and user interfaces to showthrough touching a “favorites” region 305 on the touchscreen userinterface. In the example shown the original single switch functionalityof FIG. 2 is shown for a pair of switches 307, 308. The switches 307,308 may control activation and deactivation of devices in the samelocale as the faceplate 301 or in locations remote from the faceplate301 but connected to the same network.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a programmable display for a faceplatethat shows an alert situation, in this case a gas leak. The display 401includes a programmable touchscreen display 402 where a microprocessor(not shown) located physically in the same location as the faceplate orremote from it, receives a signal from a sensor. There are preselectedlimits on values received from the sensor and if outside of thoselimits, an alarm is set and in this case the microprocessor is furtherprogrammed to display an alarm condition as shown in the FIG. 401. Thealarm condition display may include information 403 as to the nature ofthe alarm and regions 404 or further specific information such as thelocation of the sensor that triggered the alarm. The display may befurther programmed to include user interaction regions 405. The userinteractions may trigger actions such as turning on a siren alarm toevacuate the building or triggering a networked communication device toissue a warning such as sending a text message or calling an emergencynumber for aid. The alarm condition may result where a signal from anyof an array of sensors included in the outlet box, switch box or wiredor wireless connected to the electronics contained in the outlet box orswitch box, that is outside of a pre-selected value. the selection ofwhether to display and upon which of the switch modules to displaynotices is selectable by the user in the configuration procedure. Theuser may select to display the alerts and notices on all of the switchand outlet modules within the network system or a selected few of theswitch and outlet modules, as well as to broadcast the message throughan internet connection to selected telephones, personal computers andservers. The sensors may be for gas leaks, water leaks, intrusion, overtemperature, under temperature, and from any other type sensor that maybe attached to the network. The alarms may be triggered both by a sensorvalue coupled with a second programmed parameter such as the date and/ortime of day.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, the user interface is located ona portable computing device 504. The faceplate of the electrical box maybe as is used in prior art, a conventional outlet box 501 or aconventional switch box 502 or may be as is used in the presentinvention and described above, and, the switch faceplate is atouchscreen user interface 503. The portable computing device mayinclude a display that mimics that of the faceplate, as shown in views503 and 504, or may be the only user interface for the system and theelectrical boxes and faceplates are as shown in views 501, 502 and theuser interface is on a portable computing device 504. The display on thedevice 504 is user selectable using touch interaction regions 508 andincludes interaction areas 509 for activation and deactivation ofswitches, outlets and other actuators that are connected to thenetworked system of electrical boxes. The portable computing device 504may further display, by selection of the user, the status of electricalboxes in particular rooms 505, the status of particular electricaldevices 506 and alarms 507 triggered by sensors connected to the system.

FIG. 6 shows side views of physical form prior art 601, 602 and theinvented device 603, 604. The prior art outlet 601 and switch 602devices are installed in electrical boxes 611, 615 that are of astandard form and have standard dimensions of height (not visible in theview) and width 606, 608 and depth 605, 607. In a preferred embodiment,the invented devices of and outlet 603 and switch 604 fit into boxes620, 619 that have the same dimensions 606, 608, 624 as the standardprior art boxes. In this manner the invented switch and outlet boxes canbe a direct physical replacement for the prior art switches and outlets.The prior art outlets are comprised of a faceplate 609, the receptaclesthemselves 610 and a container box 611. This is replaced by the currentinvention outlet 603 with a faceplate 623, the electrical receptacles622 and the control electronics 621 all contained in a box 620 of thesame dimensions. In another embodiment, the outlet electronics 621, 622and outlet faceplate 623 are installed in a pre-existing electrical box620. The same can be true for a switch where the switch electronics 618and faceplate 617 are installed in an existing electrical box 619. Theprior art switch 602 is comprised of a mechanical interface 612, afaceplate 613, the switch electronics, typically also mechanical, 614enclosed in an electrical box 615. The instant invention uses anequivalent electrical box 619 to enclose the programmable electronics618, a faceplate 617 and a touch screen display 616 that replaces thefunctionality of the mechanical interface 612 of the prior art and addsdisplay capabilities.

FIG. 7 shows a front view 701 of the switch and a side view 702 of anembodiment of the physical form of the switch or outlet. The front face703 of the switch is a touch screen display that may be programmed toshow a preselected list of notices and sensor status for sensorsattached to the network o fall of the switches and outlets included in abuilding. The Switch may also be programmed to be a blank display asshown here in black until a motion sensor senses that a user is in theproximity. In another embodiment the switch is programmed to react to aparticular user through either voice activated password control, voicerecognition password control or sensing of a particular connected devicesuch as a wirelessly linked programmable telephone, an wireless fob orother similar devices. In one embodiment the user is recognized by abios sensor or a particular encoded pattern of touches to the userinterface touch screen 703. The screen 703 shown in black may beprogrammed to display a range of colors including colors to match thedécor of the room in which the switch is installed and to show achanging shade of colors as a function of time or identity of the usersensed in the room.

The side view 702 of the switch device shows an embodiment of the deviceinstalled in an electrical box 708 that is installed through the wall706 of a building. In this embodiment the faceplate/userinterface/display 704 is removably attached to the electronics 707 bysliding into a slot 705 that firmly folds the faceplate to the box 708and includes electrical contacts (not shown) that connect the face plate704 to the electronics 707 when the faceplate is in position as shown.

FIG. 8 shows a typical room 801 in a house that include outlets 802,switches 803 and other electrical devices such as hard wired lighting804. Each of the devices 802-804 would include electrical boxes that inthe present invention include the electronics described in FIGS. 1-7 andthe following Figures. FIG. 9 shows a typical building that includes aplurality of rooms. The floor plan includes a main building 901 and anearby building 902. Typically, these would represent a house 901 and agarage 902. However, the invention is equally well adapted to aplurality of neighboring buildings, be the used for residential, retailor manufacturing purposes. The building automation system is comprisedof a plurality of wall switches 903, shown here in a white, a pluralityof outlets 903 shown here in black, a plurality of sensors 906 that areexternal to the sensors included in the outlets 904 and the wallswitches 903, shown here as circles, and a plurality of actuators 905,shown as squares. Nonlimiting examples of the sensors 906 include motiondetectors, security cameras, smoke detectors, CO and Radon detectors,and flooding or water detectors. Nonlimiting exemplary actuators includewindow and door locks, alarms, garage door openers, thermostats,appliance control devices such as settings for appliances and turningappliances on and off, shutoff valves for gas and water and shutoffs forthe main building electricity. Sensors are connected to the buildingautomation system through connections to nearest neighbor outlets 903and switch boxes 904 through either wired or wireless means. Each of theexternal sensors 906 and internal sensors contained in the switches 903and outlets 904 provide sensor data to the network of devices. Thesensor data from any of the sensors is available to all of the outputdevices contained in each of the switches 904 and outlets 903. That is auser has the option to display the measurement results from any of thesensors on any of the devices 903, 904. Further the user may setpre-selected limits to the measurements from any of the sensors that mayat the option of the user display alerts on any of the devices 903, 904.The switch and outlet boxes and their interconnected sensors andactuators form a mesh network as shown in FIG. 10. Outlets 1001, shownas dark boxes, and switches 1002, shown as white boxes areinterconnected by wired or wireless means and similarly linked tosensors 1003 and actuators 1004. All switches and outlets areinterconnected either through a direct connection or indirectly throughnearest neighbor connections. The microprocessor and the wirelesscommunication port are programmed to form a mesh network therebyinterconnecting the plurality of electrical modules. A protocol for themesh network includes bypassing an electrical module that is notresponding.

In a preferred embodiment any of the switch touch screen user interfacesmay be used to control the output from the switch to which the userinterface is physically attached or to control the output from any otherswitch or outlet on the mesh network. This means that there is no longera need for such prior art devices wired as a duplex or n-plex switchesthat enabled control of a single light or outlet from two (duplex) or n(n-plex) locations. The mesh network enables under program control forany switch or touchscreen user interface to control any or all of theother output devices on the same mesh network. The interconnection,directly or indirectly of all of the outlets and switches enables allthe outlets and switches to have access to data generated from sensors1003 and actuators 1001. Note as already described sensors may belocated separate from the outlets and switches or incorporated into theelectronics of the outlets and switches themselves. All of the outletsand switches may be used as a user interface as for the local switch aswell as any other switch or outlet on the network. In a preferredembodiment the mesh network thereby created of the outlets and switchesis further connected, again by wired or wireless means to an Internetconnection 1005 that allows both data access and control of allcomponents on the mesh network by authorized computing devices connectedthrough the Internet. Non-limiting external authorized computing devicescan include cellular telephones, tablets, personal computers andservers. The network established through the interconnected switch andoutlet modules that are further interconnected to external sensors andactuators enables a complete home automation system.

The components included in each of the electrical boxes are shown inFIG. 11. An AC source 1101 is attached to the load 1104 through abidirectional switch 1103. In the preferred embodiment a firstbidirectional switch 1103 is located on the line side and a secondbidirectional switch 1105 is located on the neutral side of the load1104. In another embodiment, not shown there is a single bidirectionalswitch on either the line or neutral side. That is there is only switch1103 or switch 1105 but not both. In yet another embodiment, not shown,there is a third bidirectional switch that is placed to selectivelybypass the load 1104. A low voltage AC to DC converter 1102 supplies DCpower to the internal electrical components 1106-1110. The electricalcomponents include a user interface 1106, an I/O 1107, a switchcontroller 1108, a sensor array 1109, and a microprocessor 1110. In oneembodiment the user interface 1106 includes a touch screen display. Inone embodiment the user interface 1106 includes a speaker. Themicroprocessor 1110 is a computing device microcomputer that can beprogrammed to control the switches 1103, 1105 and to display notices andaccept input from the user interface 1106 and accept signals from thesensor array 1109. In a preferred embodiment, the I/O 1107 includescapabilities to communicate wirelessly to other switch and outletdevices on the same network as well as communication to other devicessuch as smart phones, tablets and computers that may access the switchor outlet. In a preferred embodiment the components are mounted on asingle circuit board. In another embodiment all the silicon componentsare part of a single chip. The sensor array 1109 includes at least oneselected from a voltage sensor, a current sensor, a temperature sensor,a humidity sensor, a motion sensor, a microphone, a load identifyingsensor and a ground fault and arc fault detection sensor. All sensorsmay be incorporated in the same electrical supply unit. The sensor arraymay also include sensors and actuators that are remote from the switchor outlet unit and connected by wired or wireless means. The preferredembodiment is an electrical supply box that includes the elements: an ACto DC converter 1102 at least one bidirectional switch 1103, 1105, aswitch controller 1108, a plurality of sensors 1109, a microprocessor1110, an I/O port 1107 and a user interface 1106. The plurality ofsensors 1109 include voltage sensors, current sensors, a loadidentifying sensor and a fault detection sensor. The preferredembodiment of the AC to DC converter, the bidirectional switch, the loadidentifying sensor and the fault detection sensor are as described indetail below. The user interface 1106 may be local and range from asimple switch to a touch screen display and may be located in theelectrical box or optionally may be located on a remote, portablecomputing device.

In another embodiment each of the electrical boxes 903, 904 (FIG. 9)includes a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor and an associatedphysical location of the electrical box. A microprocessor associatedwith the network of electrical boxes is programmed to calculate a threedimensional profile of the temperature and humidity in the threedimensional space occupied by the plurality of electrical boxes. Inanother embodiment the three dimensional temperature and humidityprofile is calculated at a plurality of times and the changes of thesuccessive three dimensional temperature and humidity profiles over timeare used to calculate a moisture and heat flow profile for the threedimensional physical space occupied by the plurality of electricalboxes.

Details of individual components that are included in preferredembodiments follow in FIGS. 12-25.

AC to DC Converter

The AC to DC converter, that does not require a rectifier, is comprised,generally, of the elements shown in FIG. 12 and the method implied bythese elements. A non-limiting specific example of the circuit elementsis shown in FIG. 13. Referring to FIG. 12 the AC source 1201 isconnected to an inrush protection element 1202. In one embodiment theinrush element is comprised of resistor elements in the line and neutralof the AC supply. In another embodiment, where higher power andefficiency is required the inrush protection includes switch elementsthat provide high resistance at startup and switch the resistor elementsout of the circuit at steady state operation. After the inrushprotection the AC source is sampled using a sampling element 1203. Inone embodiment the sampling element 1203 includes resistors configuredinto a voltage divider network. In another embodiment the samplingelement includes a reference voltage source and comparator. In anotherembodiment the sampling element can be manually adjusted. In anotherembodiment the sampling element can be automatically adjusted. Thesampled voltages are used as supply to a switch driver element 1204. Inthe preferred embodiment, the switch driver element 1204 receives afeedback voltage signal 1209 from the storage element 1206 and basedupon the voltage signal, controls the voltage applied to the gate of aswitching element in the control switch and clamp element 1205, therebyopening and closing the control switch 1206 to supply power to thestorage element 1206 and ultimately the load 1208. In one embodiment,where the feedback 1209 is removed, the AC to DC converter is a feedforward converter where charging of the storage element 1206 iscontrolled from the the forward side 1203, 1204 and 1205. Addition ofthe the feedback control 1209 provides a means for both feed forward andfeedback control. In one embodiment the balance of feed forward andfeedback control is determined by the selection of components in thevoltage sampling element 1203 and the feedback line 1209. In oneembodiment the balance of feedforward and feedback control is determinedby resistor elements in the sampling element 1203 and the feedback 1209.In another embodiment variable elements are used such that thefeedforward and feedback control can be adjusted. In a preferredembodiment the switch driver is comprised of a voltage divider and aswitch. The switch and clamp element 1205 controlled by the switchdriver 1204 provides pulsed power at a fixed maximum current to thestorage element 1206. In the preferred embodiment the switch and clampelement is comprised of an N-MOSFET and a Zener diode, connected sourceto gate, limits/clamps the peak voltage, and therefore peak current, toa pre-selected peak voltage value. In one embodiment the preselectedlimiting voltage is determined by value of the Zener voltage of theZener diode bridging gate to source of an N-MOSFET component of theswitch 1205. Power from the switch and clamp element comprised ofpre-selected peak current pulse is provided to a storage element 1206.In one embodiment the voltage regulator is comprised of a capacitor usedas an energy storage element and a diode. Charge on the capacitor is fedback through a voltage divider circuit to the switch driver 1204 therebymaintaining a constant charge on the capacitor. Output from the thestorage element is fed through a voltage regulator 1207 to the load1208. In another embodiment the AC to DC converter further includes agalvanic isolation element 1210. In another embodiment the AC to DCconverter further includes elements 1211 that enable feedback from theload 1208. In the preferred embodiment the feedback circuit 1211 alsoincludes galvanic isolation between the control element 1204 and theload 1208.

FIG. 13 shows the preferred embodiment of the AC to DC converter.Elements 1301 through 1308 correspond to elements 1201 to 1208 of FIG.12 respectively. The AC source 1301 is connected to the inrushprotection circuit 1301 comprised in this preferred embodiment ofresistors R1 and R2. In another embodiment (not shown) the inrushprotection includes switches such that the current flows through theresistors R1 and R2 at startup and bypasses the resistors once steadystate operation is reached. In another embodiment the inrush controluses inductors; that is elements R1 and R2 are replaced with inductorsL1 and L2. Output from the inrush protection goes to the switch Q2 ofthe switch and clamp circuit 1305 and to the voltage sampling element1303. The voltage sampling element 1303 is comprised of resistors R3,R4, R5 sampling the AC input and resistor R8 providing a feedbackvoltage from storage capacitor C1. The values of R3, R4, R5 and R8 areselected such that the voltage to the gate of switch Q1 in the switchdriver element 1304 turns switch Q1 on and off and thereby synchronouslyturns switch Q2 off and on thereby providing a preselected timed outputpulse from switch Q2 to charge storage element C1. Resistor R8 providesa feedback path as to the charge on capacitor C1 and therefore theoutput voltage to the voltage sampling circuit 1303 and therefore to thecontrol circuit 1304. The switch and clamp element 1305 is comprised ofswitch Q2, Zener Diode D1 and resistor R7. The switch Q2 is controlledby the switch driver circuitry 1304. The peak output current of switchQ2 is clamped to a preselected value based upon the selected values ofthe Zener voltage of diode D1. Pulsed output from the switch Q2 isconnected to the voltage regulator 1306 which through the feedback of R8to the voltage sampling 1303 and the switch driver 1304 holds capacitorC1 to a constant charge. Control element switch Q1 and therefore supplyswitch Q2 are activated, either opened or closed, in synch with the ACinput 1301. The AC to DC converter provides a low voltage output withpulse modulation at the frequency of the incoming AC source. Theswitches are activated, either opened or closed, at voltages that arenear, within the threshold values for the components Q1 and Q2, of thezero crossing of the AC source. The Output then goes to voltageregulator 1307 and then load 1308. The voltage regulator 1307 includesswitch Q3, Zener diode D3 resistor R9 and capacitor C2. Circuitcomponents D3, Q3, R9 function as a voltage regulator equivalently tothat already described for circuit elements 105, 104, 106 respectivelyin FIG. 1. Capacitor C2 provides storage capacity to buffer and therebysmooth the output from the AC to DC converter to the load 1308.

The AC to DC converter in the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13 iscomprised of elements of inrush protection 1202, voltage sampling 1203,a switch driver 1204, a switch and clamp 1205, a storage element 1206and a voltage regulator 1207. Selection of components in the voltagesampling 1203 determine the timing of the switch driver 1204. Selectionof elements in the switch and clamp determine a peak voltage and currentfor out pulses. Power output is controlled by selection of both the peakcurrent and the pulse timing. Feedback from the storage element throughthe voltage sampling is used to select the pulse timing. The AC to DCconverter operates in sync with the AC source.

The preferred embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13 include in general a voltagedivider 1203 connected to the power source 1201, and, a first switch1204 connected through its input to the voltage divider, and, a secondswitch 1205 whose input is connected to the output of the first switch,and, a storage capacitor C1 connected through a diode to the output ofthe second switch, and, a sense resistor connected 1209 between thestorage capacitor and the voltage divider thereby providing feedbackcontrol of the AC direct to DC extraction conversion system, and, aZener diode D1 connected between the input and output of the secondswitch thereby clamping the voltage of the output and input of thesecond switch to the Zener voltage of the Zener diode, and, theelectronic load 1208 connected to the storage capacitor C1. The switches1204, 1205 may be any electronically actuated switch. In one embodimentthe switches are N-MOSFETs. In another embodiment the switches arebipolar transistors and in another embodiment the switches aremicroelectromechanical switches.

Bidirectional Switch

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the basic power MOSFETbidirectional switch controlling the power delivered from AC source 1401to load 1406. Power MOSFETs 1402 and 1403 include body diodes 1404 and1405, respectively. Zener diode 1411 exhibits a Zener voltage greaterthan the threshold voltage, V_(T), of the power MOSFETs 1402 and 1403.Zener diode 1411 is biased through rectifier diodes 1408 and 1410connected at the drain terminals of the power MOSFETs and protected bycurrent limiting resistors 1407 and 1409, respectively. Thus, whenswitch 1412 is open, resistor-diode branches 1407-1408 and 1409-1410provide bias for Zener diode 1411 when either of the drain terminalsexceeds the Zener voltage, thereby placing power MOSFETs 1402 and 1403in the “on” state. When closed, switch 1412 shunts the bias current frombranches 1407-1408 and 1409-1410 to the source terminals of the powerMOSFETS placing them in the “off” state. In this circuit the turn-ontime constant is dictated by the value of the current limiting resistors1407 and 1409 and the gate-to-source capacitance of the power MOSFETs,while the turn-off time constant is dictated by the MOSFET capacitancesand the on-resistance of switch 1412. Both of these time constants canbe designed to be much shorter than the period of the AC mains, therebyallowing this embodiment to operate in both an on-off and aphase-control mode.

In practice, however, the Zener diode 1411 never reaches its Zenervoltage, and the gate-source voltage of MOSFETs 1402 and 1403 rarelyexceeds the threshold voltage, V_(T). Thus, neither MOSFET 1402 or 1403is fully “on” resulting in excess power dissipation in the units andreduced current supplied to the load 1406. FIG. 15 shows the activecomponents of FIG. 14 when the voltage source 1401 is in the positivehalf-cycle of the ac mains waveform. When switch 1412 opens to allowMOSFET 1402 to enter its “on” state, the gate voltage of MOSFET 1402begins to follow the positive excursion of source 1401 while the sourcevoltage is at zero volts. When the gate voltage reaches the thresholdvoltage of MOSFET 1402, current begins to flow to load 1406 and bodydiode 1405 from MOSFET 1403 is forward biased. The source voltage ofMOSFET 1402 then “follows” the rise in the gate voltage, lagging it bythe value of the threshold voltage plus an additional bias to accountfor the current supplied to the load. This condition is maintained untilthe waveform of source 1401 becomes negative. Consequently, thedrain-to-source voltage of MOSFET 1402 never falls below its thresholdvoltage, regardless of the drain-to-source resistance of the device, andthe power dissipated in the switch is I_(D)*V_(T). If the gate voltagecan be boosted well beyond the threshold voltage, the the dissipatedpower is given by I_(D) ²*r_(ds), where r_(ds) is the “on” resistance ofthe switch. This value can be much smaller than I_(D)*V_(T).

FIG. 16 shows a schematic of the half switch shown in FIG. 15 thatallows a boost of the gate voltage. It differs from the circuit of FIG.15 in the replacement of switch 1412 with a 2-pole switch 1601 whichallows the gate of MOSFET 1402 to be connected either to its source orto the bias circuit 1407-1408. The bias circuit also includes capacitor1603 connected in parallel with Zener diode 1411. Switch 1601 iscontrolled by Switch Control circuit 1602 that maintains the switch 1601in either position 1, corresponding to MOSFET 1402 set in its “off”condition, or in position 2, which connects the gate to the biascircuit. Switch Control circuit 1602 is designed to keep switch 1601 inposition 1 until the AC source 1401 waveform exceeds a pre-establishedtrigger level, V_(trig), whereupon it switches 1601 to position 2. Thus,switch 1601 and Switch Control circuit 1602 keep MOSFET 1402 in its“off” state until the AC voltage waveform reaches the trigger level,V_(trig), which allows the bias circuit to charge to V_(trig) while thesource of MOSFET 1402 remains at 0 volts. When switch 1601 changesstate, the bias voltage, V_(trig), is applied to the gate which valuecan be much larger than the threshold voltage, V_(T). The source ofMOSFET 1402 begins charging towards V_(trig)-V_(T), and part of thisvoltage step is coupled to the gate through capacitor 1603. Thisincreases the gate bias well beyond V_(trig) so that it exceeds the ACsource 1401 voltage value. Thus, MOSFET 1402 reaches a state where thedrain-to-source voltage is nearly zero, while the gate-to-source voltageis larger than V_(trig). In this state MOSFET 1402 exhibits its minimumchannel resistance, r_(d) and maximum voltage appears across load 1406.FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment of the circuit of FIG. 16 in a fullybidirectional switch configuration. Switch 1601 is replaced with a pairof electronic control switches 1701 and 1702 that are controlled by anexpanded Switch Control circuit 1703 having outputs 1704 and 1705 thatdrive 1701 and 1702, respectively. In the preferred embodiment, theswitches 1701, 1702 are optical transistors. As in FIG. 16, the SwitchControl circuit is characterized by a trigger level, Vtrig, thatprovides optical excitation via output 1704 if the absolute value of theAC mains source voltage level is less than Vtrig, and via output 1705otherwise. The switch control is programmed such that the optical drivesignals 1704, 1705 do not overlap, thereby providing a “break beforemake” switch characteristic and avoids discharging capacitor 1603prematurely.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 18, the bidirectional switch of FIG.17 further includes bypass diodes 1801, 1802 which can bypass theintrinsic diodes 1404, 1405 of the MOSFETs 1402, 1403. All othercomponents are consistently numbered and as discussed in previous FIGS.14-17.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 19 power to the switch control 1703is provided by a low voltage AC to DC converter 1901. The AC to DCconverter is in turn controlled by a current sensor 1902 such that theAC to DC converter and therefore the Switch control are turned off if nocurrent is sensed in the bi-directional switch comprised of MOSFETs1402, 1403. All other components are consistently numbered and asdiscussed in previous FIGS. 14-18. To summarize, the solid statebidirectional switch comprises: first and second series connectedelectronic switch devices 1402, 1403, each switch device having a drainterminal, a source terminal and a gate terminal and being characterizedby a threshold voltage specified between the gate terminal and thesource terminal, wherein the drain terminal of the first switch devicecomprises the input terminal 1906 of the solid state bidirectionalswitch and drain terminal of the second switch devices comprise theoutput terminal 1907 of the solid state bidirectional switch, the sourceterminals of the first and second switch devices are interconnected at afirst control terminal 1903 and the gate terminals of the first andsecond switch devices are interconnected at a second control terminal1904, and, a first control switch 1701 connected between the firstcontrol terminal and the second control terminal, and a bias terminal1905 connected to the second control terminal through a second controlswitch 1702, and a voltage regulator device 1411 connected between thebias terminal and the first control terminal, and a capacitor 1603connected in parallel with the voltage regulator device, and a firstrectifier device 1408 connected from the input terminal of the switchcircuit to the bias terminal through a first current limiting resistor1407, and, a second rectifier device 1410 connected from the outputterminal of the switch circuit to the bias terminal through a secondcurrent limiting resistor 1409, and, a switch control circuit 1703 thatcontrols the first control switch and the second control switch, suchthat first control switch is closed when the second control switch isopen and vice versa.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 20, bidirectional switches2003-2005, as described above are located between the source 2001 andthe load 2002 and included in the line 2003 and the neutral 2004 as wellas a bidirectional switch 2005 that bypasses the load 2002. Switch 2005is closed when switch 2003 is open.

Load Identifying Sensor

In one embodiment the sensor array includes sensors to identify the typeof load and to control the load on the basis of the identification. FIG.21 shows components of the circuitry to identify the type of loadconnected to the electrical box, be it an electrical outlet or a circuitconnected to a switch. FIG. 22 shows a method to use the circuitry ofFIG. 21.

The components in various embodiments of the load identifying AC powersupply are seen in FIG. 21. Referring first to FIG. 21, The AC mains2101 is connected to the load 2102 through the load identifying AC powersupply 2103-2116. The connecting lines in the Figure are shown as boldlines 2113 representing power connections lighter lines 2114representing sense line connections and double lines 2116 representingdata acquisition 2116 and control line 2117 connections. A switch 2108is located in both the line and neutral arms between the source 2101 andthe load 2102. In the preferred embodiment the switch is a bidirectionalswitch as described in FIGS. 14-19. The load identifying AC power supplyincludes an AC to DC converter 2103 that supplies power to the currentsensors 2106, 2107, 2111, 2112 and voltage sensors 2105, 2110 thatacquire the AC mains data and the load data. The AC/DC converter alsosupplies power to a microprocessor 2104. Details of the AC/DC converterin a preferred embodiment are shown and discussed in conjunction withFIGS. 12 and 13 above. The voltage and current sensors are as thoseknown in the art and include voltage sensors using resistive dividersand current sensors including current-sensing resistor, and currentamplifier, and Hall Effect sensors. The sampling results are typicallyprocessed by comparators, analog to digital converters (ADC) and storedin data storage elements that include random access memory, read onlymemory and other solid state memory and non-solid state memory devicesas are known in the art. The Microprocessor includes components known inthe art and associated with microprocessors including user interfaces toallow actuation and programming of the microprocessor, memory forstorage of data and input and output ports for receiving data andsending control signals respectively. In one embodiment the input/outputports include means to access other computing devices such as handheldcomputing devices and remote servers. The microprocessor is programmedto effectuate the steps described in FIG. 22 below. Aspects of themicroprocessor may be located remote from some components of the loadidentifying AC power supply. As a non-limiting example data storage of alibrary of data may be stored remotely and accessed by wired or wirelessmeans such as through an Internet connection. Similarly, somecomputation, such as a neural network analysis of the load data may beaccomplished on a remote server and the results sent to themicroprocessor 2104. The switch 2108 and switch controller 2109 arecontrolled by the microprocessor. The details of the switch and switchcontroller in preferred embodiments are shown and discussed in FIGS.14-19.

In one embodiment the AC/DC converter may be of any type known in theart that would supply a voltage and power suitable for a microprocessor,sensors and switch control. Such an AC/DC converter would includerectifier and transformer components to provide a selected voltage andpower as required by sensor and microprocessor circuitry. Similarly, theswitch 2108 and controller 2109 can be any switch/controller known inthe art that can be programmably operated at frequencies required forphase angle modulation as already described. Non-limiting examplesinclude triacs known to be used for phase angle modulation as well assolid state switches such as MOSFETs and other solid state switchdevices as well as microelectromechanical (MEM) devices. In thepreferred embodiment the components of the load identifying AC powersupply are selected such that the entire device of FIG. 21 (Except theAC mains 2101 and the load 2102) can be integrated on silicon. In apreferred embodiment the AC to DC converter 2103 is as described inFIGS. 12 and 13 and the Switch 2108 and controller 2109 are as describedin FIGS. 14-19 below and the entire load identifying AC power supply2103-2116 is integrated onto silicon.

The wave forms of the AC mains and the voltage and current across andthrough the load are recorded and analyzed at a sampling frequency thatis significantly greater than the cycle time of a single period of theAC mains. The sampling frequency of the voltage and current wave formsare selected as required to distinguish load types. In one embodimentthe sampling frequency is at a kilohertz range. In another embodimentthe sampling frequency is at a megahertz range. In a preferredembodiment, the programmed variation of the power applied to the load isselected so as to optimize differentiation in the acquired waveformsbetween anticipated load types. In one embodiment analysis of thewaveforms includes matching patterns in the high frequency components ofthe voltage and current waveforms from the load. In another embodimentanalysis of the wave forms includes determining a delay in timing of theload drawing power after power is first applied to the load. In anotherembodiment analysis means classifying the acquired waveforms, includinghigh frequency components thereof, into groups that are indicative ofdifferent load types. Non-limiting examples of groups include waveformsindicative of a primarily resistive load, a capacitive load, aninductive load, loads that includes power factor correction and loadsthat include power control such that there is a delay in the power tothe load at initial application of power form the source.

Referring now to FIG. 22, a method for using the load control AC sourceis shown. A load control appliance is installed 2201. In one embodimentinstallation includes electrically connecting the load control devicebetween the AC mains supply and the load. In one embodiment thisinstallation includes installing the load control device in the junctionbox. In another embodiment the installation includes installing the loadcontrol AC source in a wall outlet. In another embodiment installationincludes installing the load control device as an electronic supplystrip or smart extension cord by plugging the load control device into aconventional wall outlet and the load is to be plugged into the loadcontrol device. One the load control device is installed 2201, a load isattached to the load control device 2202. The load control devicedetects the load 2203 and power is supplied to the load by activatingthe switch within the load control device. The switch and the details ofthe the load control device are shown in subsequent Figures. Once loadis detected, data acquisition 2204 is initiated. Data acquisitionincludes recording timing as to when the load is connected to power,when power is applied to the load and when power is used by the load.Data acquisition further includes acquiring waveform data. Any dataacquired once a load is detected that is specific to a load is termed“load data”. Load data includes the turn on timing of the load as wellas waveform data. Waveform data includes acquiring values of the AC mainvoltage, the load voltage the load current and the power consumed by theload as a function of time. All are acquired at a frequency optimizedfor detection of the type of load. In one embodiment data is acquired ata frequency that is a multiple higher than the frequency of the AC mainssource. In one embodiment data for a 50 to 60 cycle AC source data isacquired at a kilohertz rate. In another embodiment that relies uponhigh frequency components of the voltage and current wave forms foridentification of the load, data is acquired at a megahertz rate.Acquired load data is stored 2209 for analysis. In one embodimentstorage includes storage in short term random access memory of amicroprocessor for immediate or nearly immediate processing. In anotherembodiment storage includes storage in long term memory such that thestored load data is used for subsequent pattern matching to identify theidentical or similar loads based upon matching of the waveform patternsobtained at first connection of a load 2202 (i.e. first pass through theindicated flow chart) with connection of the same or different loads atlater times. In one embodiment the storage 2209 includes storage that isaccessible by a plurality of load control devices. Such storage isaccessible by devices that are wired or wirelessly connected to the loadcontrol AC source or by transfer of the stored load data from a firstload control AC source to a second load control AC source. Onceconnected 2202 and detected 2203 and after initial data acquisition2204, the power to the device is modulated 2205. Modulation meansvarying the power to the device using a programmable switch. Furtherload data is acquired 2206 both during and after modulation and the loadis then identified 2207 on the basis of the load data. In one embodimentidentification is on the basis of comparing the wave forms of the loaddata with previous acquired waveforms in load data of known loaddevices. In another embodiment the load is identified on the basis ofboth the timing around the turn on of the power to the load, as alreadydiscussed, and matching of the wave form data. In another embodiment aneural network analysis is used to classify the load data into acategory of load types by comparison with a library of prior load data.In another embodiment identification of the load means classifying theload into a particular category of load based upon the phaserelationship between the load voltage and current wave forms and the ACmains voltage wave form both before, during and after modulation of thepower to the load using the series switch. In one embodiment the load isidentified 2207 as one of:

-   -   1. Pure Resistive Load. Voltage and current zero crossing and        peak synchronously both before during and after modulation of        the supply voltage. Power is reduced when voltage is reduced,        power returns to pre-modulation level when modulation of supply        voltage is stopped and supply voltage returns to full voltage.    -   2. Constant power Resistive load with power correction. Voltage        and current peak synchronously before modulation, Power is        constant before, during and after modulation,    -   3. Pure Reactive (capacitive or inductive) load. Voltage and        current are out of phase before, during and after modulation,        Power is reduced during modulation of the supply voltage, Power        returns to pre-modulation level when modulation of supply        voltage ends and returns to full voltage.    -   4. Constant Power Reactive load. Voltage and current are out of        phase before, during and after modulation, Power is constant        before, during and after modulation of the supply voltage.

In one embodiment the modulation of the supply voltage results in areduction of the RMS supply voltage by an amount an amount between 1 and20%.

In one embodiment identification 2207 further includes determining aconfidence level for the identification. In one embodiment theconfidence level is determined by the goodness of fit of a match of theload data obtained during the data acquisition steps 2204, 2206 withdata obtained previously on known loads and stored 2210. Once theidentification step 2207 is complete the system further checks 2208whether the load has been identified and whether there are control rulesassociated with the load identification. In one embodiment the check2208 on identification is done by comparing a confidence level in theidentification with a pre-selected confidence level defined as positiveidentification. If the load is positively identified and there arepre-selected control rules associated with the identified load, thencontrol 2209 of the load is implemented. In the preferred embodiment thepower to the load is then controlled by the switch in series with theload. Non-limiting examples of pre-selected control rules include:

-   -   1. During daylight hours, a pure resistive load such as a light        bulb is dimmed to reduce power usage, especially during peak        demand.    -   2. In constant power load when load demands dropped the input        power will drop accordingly to minimize the power consumption of        no load/minimum load requirements.    -   3. In remote location (no human presence) the a pure resistive        load and a constant power resistive load will be disconnected        and reconnected automatically by the demand of the load    -   4. Devices that produce an arc during normal operation (e.g. an        electric motor having brush connections to the rotor) are        ignored by an arc fault circuit interrupter to prevent nuisance        disconnects.

In another embodiment there are a pre-selected set of rules based uponwhether the load is one selected from: a pure resistive, a constantpower resistive, a pure reactive and a constant power reactive. In onenon-limiting example of pre-selected rules loads identified as having anincluded power factor correction, that is constant power loads, are notturned off by the controller and a pure resistive loads are turned offduring pre-selected periods of time and power to pure reactive loads isreduced during pre-selected periods of time.

Fault Detection Sensor

In another embodiment the sensor array includes fault detection sensors.The sensors detect both ground fault and arc fault failures in the loadcircuitry and control power to the load on the basis of fault detection.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing the key elements of the solid-statecircuit interrupter. AC mains 2301 is connected to load 2306 throughelectronic switch unit 2305. A low voltage DC power supply 2302efficiently provides power for mains voltage and current sensing circuit2303 and the fault detection processor 2304. Sense inputs to the faultdetection processor 2304 are provided from the voltage and currentsensing circuit 2303. The solid-state sensing circuit comprising sensorsthat sense the waveforms of the voltage and current applied to the loadcircuit, and, develop proportional analog waveforms. The fault detectionprocessor processes the proportional analog waveforms and upon detectionof either a ground fault or an arc fault generates a fault output 2307.Upon detection of a fault, the Fault output 2307 of the fault detectionprocessor 2304 is latched and fed to the control input 2308 ofelectronic switch 2305 which disconnects the load 2306 from the mains2301 until a reset 2309 is applied to the fault detection processor2304. In another embodiment the output voltage of the Electronic Switch2305 can be varied through the control circuit 2308. In this embodimentupon detection of an arc fault, the output voltage can be reduced to avalue that is less than a threshold for arcing yet greater than zero.Such an embodiment allows the load circuit to continue operation at areduced voltage while reducing the chance for a damaging arc. Theoperation at reduced voltage also allows for continued characterizationof the load and mains supply circuit to determine the location of an arcfault for subsequent replacement or repair.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the solid-statecircuit interrupter. AC mains 2301 is connected to load 2306 throughbidirectional MOSFET switch unit 2305. Low voltage AC to DC power supply2302 provides power for mains voltage and current sensing circuit 2303,the fault detection processor 2304 and the bidirectional MOSFET switchcontrol circuit 2308. Sense inputs to the fault detection processor 2304are provided from the voltage and current sensing circuit 2303. Currentsensing is provided using solid-state Hall Effect sensors 2401 and 2402which provide an output voltage proportional to the current flowingthrough the sensor. The Hall Effect sensor outputs are fed to thecurrent sense inputs of the fault detection processor 104. The AC mainsvoltage waveform is full-wave rectified in bridge unit 2403. (In orderto reduce the number of components in the circuit, bridge 2403 can beeliminated and the full-wave rectified waveform obtained directly fromthe output of the AC-DC converter circuit. Bridge 2403 is illustratedhere for clarity.) The full-wave rectified waveform is attenuated usinga resistive divider network comprising resistors 2404 and 2405 andapplied to the voltage sense inputs of the fault detection processor2304. Upon detection of a fault, the Fault output 2307 of the faultdetection processor 2304 is latched and fed to the control input ofelectronic switch control circuit 2308 which provides the opticalcontrol signal to the bidirectional MOSFET switch unit 2305 whichdisconnects the load 2306 from the mains 2301 until a reset 2309 isapplied to the fault detection processor 2304. In another embodiment theoutput voltage of the Electronic Switch is varied through the controlcircuit 2308. In this embodiment upon detection of an arc fault, theoutput voltage is reduced to a value that is less than a threshold forarcing yet greater than zero. Such an embodiment allows the load circuitto continue operation at a reduced voltage while reducing the chance fora damaging arc. The operation at reduced voltage also allows forcontinued characterization of the load and mains supply circuit todetermine the location of an arc fault for subsequent replacement orrepair.

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the FaultDetection Processor. The voltage sense signals are applied to the inputterminals of a differential amplifier and the resulting differencesignal ΔV is applied to the input of an analog-to-digital (A/D)converter 2508 within microprocessor 2507. Similarly, the current senseinputs are summed in the input circuit 2504 of operational amplifier2505 forming a signal proportional to the sum of the currents ΣI in theline and neutral legs of the AC mains. The ΣI signal is also applied tothe input of an A/D converter.

The digitized ΔV signal is processed by subprogram 2509 within themicroprocessor to detect anomalies in the voltage waveform over severalcycles that indicate the presence of an arc fault. One nonlimitingexample of such a voltage anomaly is the presence of excess highfrequency energy impressed upon the normally low frequency AC mainsvoltage waveform. The digitized ΣI signal is processed by subprogram2510 within microprocessor 2507 to detect anomalies in the currentwaveforms over several cycles that indicate the presence of an arcfault. One nonlimiting example of such a current anomaly is theoccurrence of “shoulders” (flat spots) in the current waveform thatoccur near zero-crossings of the current waveform. The combinedappearance of a voltage waveform anomaly and a current waveform anomalyis one indicator of an arc fault 2512. The current sense signals arealso applied to the inputs of operational amplifier 2506 which forms adifference signal ΔI proportional to the difference between the currentsin the line and neutral legs. The ΔI signal is digitized and isprocessed by subprogram 2511 which accomplishes a threshold detectionthat signals a ground fault 2513. Arc fault 2512 and ground fault 2513signals are combined and applied to the input of latch 2514 which storesthe fault condition 2307 until cleared by an external reset signal.

SUMMARY

A building automation system that is comprised of a plurality of networkconnected electrical modules contained in standard receptacle gang boxesfor outlets and switches is described. The system includes an AC to DCpower supply, a bidirectional solid state dimmer switch, amicroprocessor, and, interconnected sensors that are powered andcontrolled by microprocessors within the electrical modules. Theelectrical modules include a user interface for programming and control.The system provides enhanced safety and security, power metering, powercontrol, and home diagnostics. The apparatus replaces existing outletreceptacles and switches with a familiar flush but elegantly updated andseamlessly integrated faceplate.

We claim:
 1. (canceled)
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. (canceled) 5.(canceled)
 6. (canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. A building automation systemcomprising: a) a plurality of electrical modules that supply electricalpower from an AC source with an applied AC voltage and applied ACcurrent to an AC load, each of the electrical modules comprising: i) anAC to DC converter that supplies power to a DC load, and, ii) a solidstate bidirectional switch having an input terminal connected to the ACsource and an output terminal connected to the AC load, and, iii) amicroprocessor, having a wireless communication port, a user interface,and, programmed to control the solid state bidirectional switch, and,iv) a sensor selected from at least one of a load identifying sensor andan electrical fault detection sensor, and, b) wherein the AC to DCconverter comprises: i) voltage divider connected to the AC powersource, and, ii) a first semiconductor switch, having an input and anoutput, connected through its input to the voltage divider, and, iii) asecond semiconductor switch, having an input and an output, whose inputis connected to the output of the first switch, and, iv) a storagecapacitor connected through a diode to the output of the second switch,and, v) a sense resistor connected between the storage capacitor and thevoltage divider thereby providing feedback control, and, vi) a Zenerdiode connected between the input and output of the second semiconductorswitch thereby clamping the voltage of the output and input of thesecond semiconductor switch to the Zener voltage of the Zener diode,and, vii) the DC load connected to the storage capacitor.
 9. Thebuilding automation system of claim 8 further comprising electroniccircuitry interposed between the first semiconductor electronic switchand the storage capacitor to limit the current flowing through the firstsemiconductor switch.
 10. The building automation system of claim 8further including sense lines from the DC load passing through anisolator to the voltage divider thereby providing feedback control fromthe DC load to the AC to DC converter.
 11. The building automationsystem of claim 8 wherein the first semiconductor switch and the secondsemiconductor switch are both MOS field effect transistors.
 12. Abuilding automation system comprising: a) a plurality of electricalmodules that supply electrical power from an AC source with an appliedAC voltage and applied AC current to an AC load, each of the electricalmodules comprising: i) an AC to DC converter that supplies power to a DCload, and, ii) a solid state bidirectional switch having an inputterminal connected to the AC source and an output terminal connected tothe AC load, and, iii) a microprocessor, having a wireless communicationport, a user interface, and, programmed to control the solid statebidirectional switch, and, iv) a sensor selected from at least one of aload identifying sensor and an electrical fault detection sensor, and,b) wherein the solid state bidirectional switch comprises: i) first andsecond series connected electronic switch devices, each switch devicehaving a drain terminal, a source terminal and a gate terminal and beingcharacterized by a threshold voltage specified between the gate terminaland the source terminal, wherein the drain terminal of the first switchdevice comprises the input terminal of the solid state bidirectionalswitch and drain terminal of the second switch devices comprise theoutput terminal of the solid state bidirectional switch, the sourceterminals of the first and second switch devices are interconnected at afirst control terminal and the gate terminals of the first and secondswitch devices are interconnected at a second control terminal, and; ii)a voltage source having a voltage that exceeds the switch devicethreshold voltage and applied across the first and second switch devicecontrol terminals through a current limiting resistor, wherein thevoltage source comprises: (1) a first rectifier device connected fromthe input terminal of the switch circuit to the second switch devicecontrol terminal, and, (2) a second rectifier device connected from theoutput terminal of the switch circuit to the second switch devicecontrol terminal, and, (3) a voltage regulator device connected from thefirst switch device control terminal to the second switch device controlterminal, and, ii) a switch connected across the first and second devicecontrol terminals.
 13. The building automation system of claim 12wherein the solid state bidirectional switch further comprises: a) aphoto-activated electronic device characterized by a conductanceproportional to the intensity of illumination incident upon thephoto-activated electronic device and connected from the first switchdevice control terminal to the second switch device control terminal,and, b) a light emitting device connected to a first and a secondbidirectional electronic switch control terminals, and, arranged toilluminate the photo-activated electronic device wherein the intensityof the light emitted by the light emitting device is proportional to anamplitude of an external control signal applied to the first and secondbidirectional electronic switch control terminals.
 14. The buildingautomation system of claim 12 wherein the first and second electronicswitch devices are MOSFETs.
 15. A building automation system comprising:a) a plurality of electrical modules that supply electrical power froman AC source with an applied AC voltage and applied AC current to an ACload, each of the electrical modules comprising: i) an AC to DCconverter that supplies power to a DC load, and, ii) a solid statebidirectional switch having an input terminal connected to the AC sourceand an output terminal connected to the AC load, and, iii) amicroprocessor, having a wireless communication port, a user interface,and, programmed to control the solid state bidirectional switch, and, asensor selected from at least one of a load identifying sensor and anelectrical fault detection sensor, and, b) wherein the solid statebidirectional switch comprises: i) first and second series connectedelectronic switch devices, each switch device having a drain terminal, asource terminal and a gate terminal and being characterized by athreshold voltage specified between the gate terminal and the sourceterminal, wherein the drain terminal of the first switch devicecomprises the input terminal of the solid state bidirectional switch anddrain terminal of the second switch devices comprise the output terminalof the solid state bidirectional switch, the source terminals of thefirst and second switch devices are interconnected at a first controlterminal and the gate terminals of the first and second switch devicesare interconnected at a second control terminal, and, ii) a firstcontrol switch connected between the first control terminal and thesecond control terminal, and iii) a bias terminal connected to thesecond control terminal through a second control switch, and iv) avoltage regulator device connected between the bias terminal and thefirst control terminal, and v) a capacitor connected in parallel withthe voltage regulator device, and vi) a first rectifier device connectedfrom the input terminal of the switch circuit to the bias terminalthrough a first current limiting resistor, and vii) a second rectifierdevice connected from the output terminal of the switch circuit to thebias terminal through a second current limiting resistor, and, viii) aswitch control circuit that controls the first control switch and thesecond control switch, such that first control switch is closed when thesecond control switch is open and vice versa.
 16. The buildingautomation system of claim 15 wherein the first control switch and thesecond control switch are photo-transistors.
 17. The building automationsystem of claim 15 wherein the first and second electronic switchdevices are MOSFETs.
 18. A building automation system comprising: a) aplurality of electrical modules that supply electrical power from an ACsource with an applied AC voltage and applied AC current to an AC load,each of the electrical modules comprising: i) an AC to DC converter thatsupplies power to a DC load, and, ii) a solid state bidirectional switchhaving an input terminal connected to the AC source and an outputterminal connected to the AC load, and, iii) a microprocessor, having awireless communication port, a user interface, and, programmed tocontrol the solid state bidirectional switch, and, iv) a sensor selectedfrom at least one of a load identifying sensor and an electrical faultdetection sensor, and, b) wherein the electrical fault detection sensorcomprises: i) a fault detection circuit and a solid state sensingcircuit, ii) solid-state sensing circuit comprising sensors that sensethe waveforms of the applied AC voltage and applied AC current to the ACload, and, develop proportional analog waveforms of the applied ACvoltage and the applied AC current, and, iii) a fault processing circuitcomprising: (1) a solid-state processor that processes the proportionalanalog waveforms, and upon at least one of: 1) detecting the presence ofa ground fault in the AC load circuit and 2) detecting the presence ofan arc fault in the AC load circuit, generates a fault output signal,and, iv) a reset port that stops the fault output signal upon receivinga reset signal.
 19. A building automation system comprising: a) aplurality of electrical modules that supply electrical power from an ACsource with an applied AC voltage and applied AC current to an AC load,each of the electrical modules comprising, i) an AC to DC converter thatsupplies power to a DC load, and, ii) a solid state bidirectional switchhaving an input terminal connected to the AC source and an outputterminal connected to the AC load, and, iii) a microprocessor, having awireless communication port, a user interface, and, programmed tocontrol the solid state bidirectional switch, and, iv) a sensor selectedfrom at least one of a load identifying sensor and an electrical faultdetection sensor, and, b) wherein the load identifying sensor comprises:i) a first voltage sensor to monitor the AC voltage, and, ii) a secondvoltage sensor to monitor an AC voltage applied through thebidirectional switch to the AC load, and, iii) a current sensor tomonitor the AC current drawn by the AC load, and, iv) the microprocessorprogrammed to accept input from the first voltage sensor, the secondvoltage sensor and the current sensor and to control the bidirectionalswitch, such that, a first set of waveforms of the first voltage sensor,the second voltage sensor and the current sensor are acquired during afirst period of time after a connection of the AC load to the AC powersupply, and, a second set of waveforms of the first voltage sensor, thesecond voltage sensor and the current sensor are acquired during asecond period of time after a connection of the AC load to the AC powersupply, each of the first set of waveforms and the second set ofwaveforms having an amplitude and a phase shift relative to one another,and, v) the AC voltage to the load during the second period of time isreduced using phase angle modulation of the AC voltage to the AC load bythe bidirectional switch, and, vi) the microprocessor is furtherprogrammed to identify the load by comparing the first set of waveformswith the second set of waveforms.